Question From: S. Ambrosini - Wethersfield, Connecticut, United States
Q: I inherited many plants so this probably tagged along as I had never planted a tulip in this location. Apparently it developed as usual but I never took much note of it. It was not until I had an interest in a near by plant that I saw this. Have you ever seen anything like it?
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A: Wow, your tulip has a virus that really distorted it. I have never seen one quite this weird. Best Nancy
Comment: Between the time I sent you that note and now, I have learned the following from White Flower Farms. I figure you might like to know this: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The tulip is fasciated. Fasciation literally means banded or bundled. Scientists aren't sure what causes the deformity, but they believe it is probably caused by a hormonal imbalance. This imbalance may be the result of a random mutation, or it can be caused by insects, diseases or physical injury to the plant. Think of it as a random occurrence. It doesn't spread to other plants or other parts of the same plant. The result of fasciation is thick, often flattened, stems and large flowers or flower heads with far more than the usual number of flowers. The extent of fasciation deformation of flowers depends on where the damage occurs. Fasciations close to the ground affect a larger portion of the plant. Your tulip may return to normal next year, or if you want, you can dig up the bulb and throw it away. Many people tend to keep these fasciated plants in their gardens for fascination! It may return to its former self in time. Yes, to be able to trade a tulip for an estate would be quite lovely. At least it's worth more than an onion! Neat huh? (The comment to the "trade the tulip for an estate" is in reference to the Holland Tulip Scandal of 1634) --------------------------------------------------------- To every season Weed, weed, weed. And buy supplies to Feed, feed, feed. A time to mow, a time to rake, A time to mulch for goodness sake, A time to buy a new long hose A time to see how our garden grows.
Response: Thanks for the feedback Steve. I knew about tulipmania, having visited Holland during tulip season. Sadly they seldom return where I live so the chances of growing one of great value for me is nil. Best Nancy
